Left-lane measures gaining steam
Legislators in at least a half-dozen statehouses have introduced bills that are intended to address concern about left lane travel.
OOIDA and the National Motorists Association say that blocking the left lane, whether intentional or not, results in reduced road safety and efficiency.
Arizona
An Arizona House bill would revise the state’s rule on travel in the far left lane.
State law specifies that travelers driving slower than the speed of traffic must stay in the right lane except to pass. Offenders face fines up to $250.
HB2365 would amend the rule to require drivers traveling below the posted speed limit to stay out of the far left lane.
Indiana
One Indiana bill would amend the left lane rule for travel on interstates.
State law now requires drivers traveling on multilane roads to move right when they should “reasonably know” another vehicle is trying to pass. Violators face up to $500 fines.
SB211 forbids continuous driving in the passing lane on highways with a posted speed at least 65 mph. Violators would face up to $10,000 fines.
Iowa
Iowa law already mandates slower traffic to stay to the right. Violators face $50 fines.
A House bill targets drivers who hang out in the left lane. Specifically, HF157 specifies that drivers who “reasonably should know” another vehicle is attempting to overtake the vehicle would face fines starting at $135 for failure to move right.
Minnesota
An effort underway in the Minnesota House would limit trucks’ use of the far left lane. HF233 would apply exceptions for circumstances that include overtaking or passing another vehicle.
OOIDA says that truck drivers are firsthand observers of the negative consequences of misguided traffic laws, and, while perhaps not intended, efforts to restrict trucks from certain lanes pose serious challenges for truckers and jeopardize the safety of the traveling public.
Mike Matousek, OOIDA manager of government affairs, adds that truckers contribute a significant amount of money to federal, state and local transportation accounts and they have every right to use any available lane.
North Dakota
A North Dakota House bill covers travel in the left lane.
State law requires travelers driving below the “normal speed” of traffic to stay in the right lane except to pass.
HB1477 would require drivers on multilane highways to merge right when another vehicle “immediately behind the first vehicle” is attempting to overtake and pass the slower moving vehicle.
South Carolina
South Carolina law requires any vehicle moving at less than the normal speed of traffic to stay to the right.
Violators face fines up to $100.
H3011 would double the fine for motorists hanging out in the far left lane of highways. A two-point violation for improper driving would be attached.
Truck drivers found in violation would face $50 fines. No points would be assessed against his or her driving record. LL